Chiefs at Redskins: What bettors need to know

The Kansas City Chiefs' dream season has come crashing back to reality with three straight losses, but they can move a step closer to clinching a playoff spot with a victory at Washington on Sunday. The Chiefs would punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Redskins and a loss or tie from Miami or Baltimore. Washington is out of playoff contention after squandering a 14-point lead Sunday against the New York Giants for its fourth straight loss.

While both teams come in riding losing streaks, the downturn has to come as more of a shock to Kansas City, which has seen its hopes of claiming the AFC's top seed dwindle after a 9-0 start. "I think it's important that you stick with the process," Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters. "It's important to trust that and believe in it. They're learning that as you go through, that's the ebb and flow of the season in the National Football League." The Chiefs have won seven of eight all-time meetings, including a 14-6 victory at Washington in the most recent clash in 2009.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE: Kansas City opened -3. The total is down from the opening 44.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-30s with snow and/or freezing rain in the forecast.

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (9-3): Kansas City has found itself unable to keep pace in shootouts the past three weeks, losing to Denver twice with a heartbreaking defeat to San Diego sandwiched between. This is a much better matchup for the Chiefs, who allow an AFC-low 17.8 points per game and boast an NFL-best turnover margin of plus-14. The injury bug has hit the Chiefs at a bad time with linebacker Justin Houston (team-high 11 sacks) out with an elbow injury and left tackle Branden Albert (knee) and tight end Anthony Fasano (concussion) unlikely to play. ABOUT THE REDSKINS (3-9): Three of Washington's four consecutive losses have come by eight points or fewer, and the league's best ground game has been impressive of late. Quarterback Robert Griffin III turned in one of his best efforts of the season last week, completing 24-of-32 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown and rushing for a season-high 88 yards on 12 carries. The defense has been one of the worst in the league but gave up a season-low 286 total yards last week against the Giants.TRENDS:

* Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.* Redskins are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.* Under is 7-1-1 in Chiefs last nine road games.* Under is 5-2 in Redskins last seven games following a ATS loss.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Kansas City coach Andy Reid needs one victory to become the 21st coach in NFL history with 150 wins, including the postseason.

2. Washington has rushed for at least 100 yards in 11 consecutive games, two shy of tying its longest streak under coach Mike Shanahan.

3. Smith needs 27 rushing yards to pass Tyler Thigpen (386 in 2008) for the most in a season by a Chiefs quarterback.

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What you see is what you get each year from Pittsburgh, which builds through the draft, doesn’t sign a lot of free agents and basically comes at you. How much Ben Roethlisberger has left is a question asked every September given the number of hits he takes. The biggest change will be at defensive coordinator, where legend Dick Lebeau is gone – which may mean the LBs will be freer to attack the pocket.

The Vikes have Adrian Peterson back and things seem to have calmed down a bit in Minnesota. But then again, Mike Wallace has been on board for only a few months. Vikes are looking for a huge Year 2 improvement from Teddy Bridgewater and if they get it they can make things sticky in the North.

In 2014/15 the Steelers were 1-3 SU/ATS in the preseason and in 2013/14 they were 0-4 SU/ATS. After missing the playoffs in 2013/14, Pittsburgh returned last year only to lose 30-17 to the Ravens in the Wildcard round. Mike Tomlin has clearly not been very worried about winning in the preseason the last few years.

Last year the Vikes went 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in the preseason, after going 1-3 SU/ATS in 2013/14 and 1-3 SU/ATS in 2012/13. For a team which is desperately trying to get back to the playoffs, the preseason suddenly becomes a lot more important.

There are many players on Minnesota which have something to prove, while Pittsburgh will surely be happy to just go through the motions and leave Canton without any significant injuries.

Minnesota would seem to be the more motivated team in this one, consider laying the short points.

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